Old Saint Nick is Santa Claus

Christmas Day has passed but I would still like to write about Father Christmas, the Patron Saint of the Yuletide Season – Saint Nicholas. As the merry Christmas carol lyrics starts – Jolly old Saint Nicholas….

While Christmas is definitely not without Jesus Christ, as it is His birthday, there are other significant characters and components that this Christian occasion cannot do without. Important facts that make up the season are the Christmas trees and the decors such as wreaths, bells and lanterns that many would love to decorate their houses with.

Christmas is also not without the get together and reunions of families and friends, as well as the masses to celebrate and attended to. And with such gatherings is the giving of gifts to one another.

Last but not the last, Christmas would not be without Saint Nicholas, or more popularly known as the red and white garbed Santa Claus. How did Saint Nicholas or Santa Clause become one of the persons most closely connected to Christmas?

Christmas is the time for gift giving, and because of Saint Nicholas’ character of being a festive giver of gifts, especially to children, he was assigned the title of Patron Saint of Christmas.

Once the bishop of Myra in present day Turkey, Saint Nicholas indeed had the admired reputation for giving presents to people, and since then he has been a revered saint by Catholics and Christians alike.

Now, everyone knows that Santa Claus is Saint Nicholas, Jolly old St Nick.

Merry Christmas from Saint Rita of Cascia

I chanced upon this Christmas poster on the area of School of Saint Michael at Tel Aviv. Clearly noticeable is the presence of the three religions in the poster; Christianity, Judaism and Islam. I have no sure idea about the messages given by the Jewish and Moslem pictures, albeit perhaps they are Christmas greetings, like what is clearly indicated on the Christian drawing (which says "Merry Christmas").

Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to All!

I decided to put up my ‘Saint Rita of Cascia’ blog primarily as my way of thanking Saint Rita for being an effective intercessor to the Lord.

Saint Rita is known as the Patroness of the Hopeless Cases, and because of her powerful intercession, the Lord God has been generous to me. Even if I prayed and requested for the most difficult and seemingly impossible favors, God answered my prayers in a positive way, and for this I owe it to Saint Rita of Cascia for her mediation.

Eighteen months have passed since the creation of this site – a good one and a half years. And this humble weblog has been broadened not just to talk about St Rita but other Saints as well as other Catholic and Christian topics.

Hopefully, despite my limited capacity as a blogger, I would be able to write more articles and maintain my site as active as possible. A million thanks is also in order to everyone has continued to visit my blog and appreciated it.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

Do You Have Your Own Catholic Charities?

It is Christmas time once again, have you contributed to your charities? Charity is a great virtue of Catholics by expressing their love, concern and care for their fellow men. One does not need to be a saint to become charitable, but you can actually become saint-like by giving a part of what you have to your brothers, especially the ones who are in dire need.

Giving definitely does not only concern the financial aspect. There are many of our brothers who need spiritual, moral and emotional assistance. Hopefully, the Catholic in us will prevail and see providing the needy with whatever help and aid that we can.

It is great if we can express Charity by directly sharing what we can to our brothers. Still, if we are capable of contributing to the Catholic Charities, which are institutions working for the improvement of the lives of our less fortunate Christian brothers and sisters.

What are Catholic Charities? These are groups that are actively working in all fields of human concern, with the main purpose which is to make better the lives of people. Such group work without thinking of earning profit from their humanitarian efforts. A catholic charity organization finds success not in the accumulation of financial profit but in significant improvement of the lives and welfare of our poor brothers and sisters.

As a good Christian, find in your heart to share anything that you have, financial or otherwise, this Yuletide Season. Have your own personal Catholic Charities.

Patron Saint Medals and Statues as Holiday Presents

The Holiday Season is just around the corner, and so we are again on frenzy about what to give our loved ones and friends. Don’t you think it is a great idea it is if you decide on giving them patron saint statues, medals and even guardian angel pins. Well, we have to be realistic that not all will appreciate this kind of presents albeit it can be worth a try.

For example, if you have a relative who is a physician, then it would be great if you give him a Catholic saint statue or medal of St. Luke, who is the Patron Saint of surgeons and Doctors

Base your gift of saint medal and statue on the occupation of the person that you will give a Christmas present. Here is a saint list which you can use as reference.

St. Matthew – Patron Saint of Accountants
Saint Thomas the Apostle – Architects
Saint Joseph - Carpenters
Saint Paul – Patron St of editors and newspapermen

I take mention of Saint Paul as I believe his patronage can help most of us who write to assist in providing light in all our writings and in helping us publish only the truth. I have a friend who is a blogger and I am sure if he will be happy if he will receive a gift of Saint Paul statue this holidays.

If you have children in your family who are students, then it is great if you can give them some saint medal of St. Benedict or St. Thomas Aquinas.

Catholic saints act not only as our mediator but our protector as well. This is why it is we would want to wear patron saint medals as a means of honoring them.